Shillong: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has no set plan to recognize the Khasi language. There is no timeline for the move. Director of the National Integration Wing, Alice Roseline Tete, sent this message in a letter to Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization president Donbok Dkhar.
Dkhar received the written response last Friday. It addressed his organization's June 5, 2026, demand. The government currently recognizes 22 languages under the Eighth Schedule. Officials admit they face pressure to add more, including Khasi.
The ministry claims it cannot easily set fixed rules. They struggle to separate dialects from distinct languages. "Language evolution is shaped by socio-cultural, economic and political developments," the ministry stated. Previous efforts to formalize these rules, specifically the 1996 Pahwa Committee and the 2003 Sitakant Mohapatra Committee, failed to produce results.
The government insists it remains aware of local sentiments regarding the issue. Officials argue they must weigh these feelings alongside other factors before making any final decisions.
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